In this study, we produced a light, flexible, wearable gas sensor by depositing MWCNTs (Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes) into nylon. MWCNTs are widely used as a gas sensor material due to their excellent mechanical, electrical and physical characteristics. We produced a gas sensor to detect NOx gases by depositing nylon yarn in a MWCNT solution. The MWCNT solution was made by mixing 3 mg MWCNT in 5 ml of ethanol. Nylon yarn was placed in the manufactured solution and ultrasonic waves were applied using an ultrasonicator for 3 h, resulting in MCWNT deposition. The MWCNT-deposited nylon yarn was dried at room temperature for 24 h. The MWCNT-thin-film-coated nylon yarn was masked 1 mm apart, and gold was then deposited on the masked nylon yarn to create the gas sensor. The sensor then was installed in a chamber with a controlled atmospheric environment and exposed to NOx gas. The changing signal from the sensor was amplified to analyze its gas detection characteristics.

In particular, gas sensors require characteristics such as high speed, sensitivity, and selectivity. In this study, we fabricated a NO_X gas sensor by using a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/zinc oxide (ZnO) composite film. The fabricated MWCNT/ZnO gas sensor was then treated by a 450℃ temperature process to increase its detection sensitivity for NOx gas. We compared the detection characteristics of a ZnO film gas sensor, MWCNT film gas sensor, and the MWCNT/ZnO composited film gas sensor with and without the heat-treatment process. The fabricated gas sensors were used to detect NO_X gas at different concentrations. The gas sensor absorbed NO_X gas molecules, exhibiting increased sensitivity. The sensitivity of the gas sensor was increased by increasing the gas concentration. Additionally, while changing the temperature inside the chamber for the MWCNT/ZnO composite film gas sensor, we obtained its sensitivity for detecting NO_X gas. Compared with ZnO, the MWCNT film gas sensor is excellent for detecting NO_X gas. From the experimental results, we confirmed the enhanced gas sensor sensing mechanism. The increased effect by electronic interaction between the MWCNT and ZnO films contributes to the improved sensor performance.

In this study, we fabricated an NOX gas sensor using a composite film of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)/zinc oxide (ZnO). Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show good electronic conductivity and chemical-stability, and zinc oxide (ZnO) is a wide band gap semiconductor with a large exciton binding energy. Gas sensors require characteristics such as high speed, sensitivity, and selectivity. The fabricated gas sensor was used to detect NOX gas at different NOX concentrations. The sensitivity of the gas sensor increased with increasing gas concentrations. Additionally, while changing the temperature inside the chamber containing the MWCNT/ZnO gas sensor, we obtained the sensitivity and normalized responses for detecting NOX gas in comparison to ZnO and MWCNT film gas sensors. From the experimental results, we confirmed that the gas sensor sensing mechanism was enhanced in the composite-film gas-sensor and that the electronic interaction between MWCNT and ZnO contributed to the improved sensor performance.